Brace arrangement for concrete wall form



Aug. 16, 1955 A. H. SYMONS 2,715,257

BRACE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONCRETE WALL FORM Filed Aug. 8, 1952 2 Sheets-Shem l Aug. 16, 1955 A. H. SYMONS BRACE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONCRETE WALL FORM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1952 United States Patent 0 2,715,257 BRACE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONCRETE WALL FORM Arthur H. Symons, Chicago, 111., assignor to Symons Clamp Mfg. Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application August 8, 1952, Serial No. 303,285

1 Claim. (Cl. 25-431) The present invention relates generally to wall forms. More particularly the invention relates to that type of Wall form which is adapted for use in the formation of a concrete wall and comprises: (1) a first series of upstanding edge to edge panels in the form of rectangular facings and rectangular reenforcing frames on the marginal portions of the outer surfaces of the facings; (2) a second series of similar upstanding panels in opposed and spaced apart relation with the panels of the first series; (3) horizontally positioned combined tie and spreader members which extend between the two series of panels and have apertured ends that fit between and are disposed in horizontal notches in the side pieces of the reenforcing frames of the panels; (4) horizontally positioned head and shank variety bolts which extend through the apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members and registering transverse holes in the notched portions of the side pieces of the panel frames and have longitudinal slots in the free ends of the shanks thereof; and (5) vertically positioned wedges which extend through the slots in the free ends of the bolt shanks and when driven tightly into place coact with the bolts to connect the panels to the ends of the combined tie and spreader members and also to clamp the panels together in edge to edge relation.

In assembling a concrete wall form of the aforementioned type the panels of the first series are arranged in edge to edge relation and then the combined tie and spreader members are manipulated so as to dispose certain of the apertured ends thereof in the horizontal notches in the outer faces of the side pieces of the frames of the panels. Thereafter certain of the head and shank variety bolts are slid through said certain apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members and the registering transverse holes in the side pieces of the frames of the panels of the first series. Directly following insertion of such bolts into place certain of the wedges are inserted through the longitudinal slots in the free ends of the shanks of the bolts and are driven into place so as to clamp the panels of the first series together and connect them to said certain apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members. After the panels of the first series are connected as heretofore mentioned the panels of the second series are positioned in edge to edge relation and so that the other apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members are disposed in the notches in the side pieces of their frames. At the conclusion of this operation other bolts. and wedges are inserted into place in order to clamp the panels of the second series together and connect them to said other apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members. After assembly of the form concrete in plastic state is poured between the two series of panels for wall forming purposes. Following hardening or solidification of the concrete the wedges and bolts are removed so as to release the panels. After removal of the wedges and bolts the panels are withdrawn from the sides of the concrete wall and the projecting ends of the combined tie and spreader members are severed at the points where they emerge from the wall, as well understood in the art. A concrete wall form of the type heretofore mentioned effectively and efiiciently fulfills its intended purpose but is subject to the objection Patented Aug. 16, 1955 that in connection with the assembly operation difliculty is encountered in holding the panels of the first series in place after they are connected together and while the panels of the second series are being connected together.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a concrete wall form which is an improvement upon, and obviates or eliminates the objection to, previously designed wall forms of the type heretofore mentioned and is characterized by the fact that it includes a diagonal brace which is so arranged, constructed and designed that when in place it serves to hold the panels of the first series against lateral tilting after they are connected together and while the panels of the second series are being clamped together and connected to the adjacent apertured ends of the combined tie and spreader members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concrete wall form of the last mentioned character in which the diagonal brace for preventing tilting of the panels of the fi st series is in the form of a wooden beam and has at its upper end a metallic plate-like bracket which embodies at its outer end a transverse hole which is adapted to receive the shank of one of the bolts for the panels of the first series and forms with such shank a pivotal connection whereby the brace as a whole may be swung up or down into any desired angular relation with the panels of the first series.

A further object of the invention is to provide a concrete wall form of the type and character under consideration in which the metallic plate-like bracket of the brace is so designed and constructed that it is highly efficient in operation and also capable of being produced or fabricated at a low cost.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a concrete wall form which is generally of new and improved construction and may be assembled with facility due to the fact that it includes the aforementioned brace.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present wall form will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a concrete wall form embodying the invention, the brace constituting the essential point of novelty of the form being shown in its operative position wherein it serves to maintain or hold the panels of the first series against lateral tilting;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section illustrating in detail the manner in which the metallic plate-like bracket at the upper end of the brace is pivotally connected to the shank of one of the bolts for clamping together the panels of the first series and connecting them to the adjacent ends of the horizontally disposed combined tie and spreader members;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing one of the bolts in operative relation with one of the combined tie and spreader members;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the metallic plate-like bracket of the brace;

Figure 6 is an end view of the bracket;

Figure 7 is a perspective of one of the bolts; and

Figure 8 is a perspective of one of the Wedges.

The wall form which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention, is adapted for use in the .formation of a. concrete wall (not shown) and comprises two walls formed by similar series 9 and 10 of upstanding edge to edge panels 11, combined tie and spreader members 12 for holding the two series of panels against relative lateral displacement, bolts 13 and wedges 14 for connecting the panels to the ends of the combined tie and spreader members and also holding the panels in clamped edge to edge relation, and a diagonal brace 15 for holding the panels of the first series 9 against lateral tilting in connection with assembly of the form. The form is conventional except for the brace 15. The two series of panels are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the desired thickness of the concrete wall to be formed therebetween and are adapted to have concrete in plastic or fluid state poured between them for wall forming purposes.

The panels 11 are exactly the same in size, design and construction and each consists of a rectangular facing 16 and a rectangular reenforciug frame 17. The facings 15 of the panels 11 are preferably formed of plywood, although, if desired, they may be formed of plain or regular wood. They are of uniform thickness throughout and embody flat inner and outer surfaces. The frames 17 of the panels 11 serve to reenforce or strengthen the facings 16. They are located directly outwards of the facings and consist of vertically extending side pieces 18, horizontally extending end pieces 19, and horizontally extending crosspieces 20. The side pieces 18 of the panel frames 17 are formed of wooden beams of rectangular cross section and fit against, and are suitably secured to, the side marginal portions of the outer surfaces of the panel facings. The outer side faces of the side pieces 18 are flush with the side edges of the facings and are provided inwards of their ends with horizontal full width notches 21 for receiving and accommodating the ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12. There are preferably two notches 21 in each of the side pieces 18 and they are located equal distances from the ends of the side pieces. The side edges or margins of the panel facings 16 are provided with notches 22 which are aligned and in communication with the inner ends of the notches 21 and serve to accommodate the portions of the combined tie and spreader members that are directly inwards of the ends v of such members. The side pieces 18 of the forms 17 are provided with transversely extending circular holes 23 and these communicate with the central portions of the notches 21 and are adapted to receive the shanks of the bolts 13 as hereinafter described. The horizontally extending end pieces 18 of the frame 17 are in the form of wooden beams and fit against, and are suitably secured to, the end marginal portions of the outer surfaces of the panel facings 16. They are arranged so that the outer side faces thereof are flush with the end margins of the facings and their ends are in abutment with the ends of the side pieces 18. The horizontally extending crosspieces 20 of the frame 17 assist the end pieces 19 in reenforcing the facings 16 against outward bulging or deflection during use of the form for wall forming purposes and consist of metallic channel bars 24'and outwardly extending metallic plates 25 at the ends of the channel bars. They are like the crosspieces which are disclosed in, and form the subject matter of, my copending United States patent application Serial No. 300,689 new Patent No. 2,702,422 to which reference may be had for a more detailed description. The channel bars 24 of the crosspieces 20 fit against, and are suitably secured to, the outer surfaces of the panel facings 16 and are arranged so that the ends thereof abut against the inner faces of the frame side pieces18 and are in horizontal alignment with the notches 21 and the holes 23 in the side pieces. The plates 25 are connected to, and extend outwards at right angles from, the ends of the webs of the channel bars 24 and fit flatly against the adjacent portions of the inner side faces of the side pieces 18. They are formed as integral parts of the channel bars and have In the central portions thereof holes 26 which communicate and are aligned with the inner ends of the holes 23 in the frame side pieces 18.

The combined tie and spreader members 12 extend horizontally between the two opposed spaced apart series of panels. They are preferably formed of steel rods and have at the ends thereof horizontally elongated closed loops 27 which define apertures 28. In connection with assembly of the wall form the loops 27 at the ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12 are positioned in the horizontally extending notches 21 in the outer side faces of the vertically'extending side pieces 18 of the panel frames 17 and are manipulated so as to bring the apertures 28 therein into registry or alignment with the outer ends of the transversely extending holes 23. When the combined tie and spreader members are properly manipulated into place the portions of the members that are directly inwards of the loops 27 are disposed in the notches 22 in the side margins of the panel facings 16.

The bolts 13 of the wall form are in the form of onep cce metallic stampings and consist of shanks 29 and right angle heads 30 at certain ends of the shanks. The shanks of the bolts are adapted to extend through the apertures 28 in the closed loops 27 at the ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12 and also through the transversely extending holes 23 in the frame side pieces 18 and the centrally disposed holes 26 in the plates 25 of the frame crosspieces 20. In assembling the wall form the panels 11 are positioned in edge to edge relation and then the combined tie and spreader members are manipulated so as properly to dispose the loops 27 in the notches 21. Thereafter the bolts 13 are shifted into their operative position by inserting the shanks 29 thereof through the holes 26 and 23 and the apertures 28 and then driving the bolts in the direction of the free ends of the shanks thereof until the heads 30 are brought into abutment With certain of the plates 25, as shown in the drawings. The free ends of the shanks 29 of the bolts 13 are provided with longitudinally extending slots 31 which, when the bolts are in their operative position, are disposed for the most part outwards of the adjacent plates 25.

The wedges 14 are formed of comparatively heavy stamped metal and are adapted to fit within, and extend vertically through, the longitudinal slots 31 in the free ends of the shanks 29 of the bolts 13. When driven into place the wedges 14 bear against certain of the plates 25 and serve to hold the bolts against longitudinal displacement. The bolts and wedges coact to connect the panels 11 to the ends of the combined tie and spreader members and also to clamp the panels together in edge to edge relation.

The brace 15 constitutes the essential feature of novelty of the concrete wall form and serves as ,a medium for holding the panels of the series 9 against inward or outward tilting. after the panels of the series are connected to the adjacent ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12 and clamped together by the bolts 13 and Wedges 14. It is disposed outwards of the series 9 and consists of a comparatively long diagonally extending wooden beam 32 and a bracket 33 at the upper end of the beam. The beam 32 is preferably in the form of a 2 x 4 and is adapted to have its lower end rest upon or embedded in the ground or foundation on which the form as a whole is placed. If desired, a stake (see Figure 1) may be driven into the ground or foundation directly outwards of the lower end of the beam in order to form an abutment for preventing slippage or displacement 'of the lower end of the beam. The bracket 33 of the brace 15 is in the form of a one-piece metallic stamping and consists of an elongated flat plate 34 which is arranged in parallel relation with the beam 32 as shown in Figures l and 2 of the drawings. The lower end portion of the plate 34 is rectangular. It fits flatly against the upper end portion of one of the side faces of the beam 32 and is provided along its side edges with integral inwardly extending right angle flanges 35. The latter are arranged in straddled relation with the adjacent edge portions of the beam and serve to hold the bracket against lateral displacement with respect to the beam. The bracket is fixedly connected to the upper end of the beam 32 by horizontally extending bolts 36 which extend through holes 37 in the lower end portion of the plate 34 and registering holes in the upper end of the beam. The upper end portion of the plate 34 is upwardly tapered and embodies at its upper end a large sized circular hole 38 for receiving the shank of one of the bolts 13 that are employed to connect the panels of the series 9 and the adjacent ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12. It is contemplated that the upwardly tapered upper end portion of the plate 34 will be interposed between one of the plates 25 and the head of the bolt, the shank of which extends through the hole 38 (see Figures 2 and 3). The hole defining portion of the upper end portion of the plate 34 and the bolt shank that extends through the hole 33 form a pivotal arrangement whereby the brace is so connected to the series 9 of panels that it may be swung upwards and downwards into different angular positions with respect to said series of panels. By having the bracket 33 at the upper end of the brace pivotally connected to one of the bolts 13 no separate or independent pivot element is required for the brace and the cost cf construction of the form as a whole is thus reduced.

In assembling the wall form the panels 11 that form the series 9 are positioned in edge to edge relation on a supporting surface such as the ground or other foundation on which the concrete wall is to be formed. After proper positioning of the panels of the series 9 the loops 27 at certain ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12 are positioned in the notches 21 in the side pieces of the frames of the panels of the series 9. Thereafter some of the bolts 13 are inserted in said certain ends of the combined tie and spreader members and the transverse holes 23 in the side pieces of the frames of the panels of the series After sliding or shifting such bolts into place, some of the wedge 14 are driven downwards through the longitudinal slots 31 in the shanks of the previousiy positioned bolts in order to connect the panels of the series 9 to the adjacent ends of the combined tie and spreader members and also firmly to clamp them together in edge to edge relation. In connection with assembly of the panels of the series 9 the upper end portion of the plate 34 of the bracket 33 is placed against one of the plates before insertion of the bolt for the plate 25. The plate 34 is then manipulated so as to cause the hole 38 in its tapered outer end portion to register with the hole 26 in the adjacent plate 25. After proper manipulation the plate 34 the bolt that is to form the pivotal connection for the bracket 33 at the upper end of the brace 15 is inserted through the hole 38 in the outer end portion of the plate 34 and the hole 26 in the adjacent plate 25 in such manner that the head of the bolt abuts against the outer side surface of the outer end portion of the plate 34, as shown in Figure 2. When the particular bolt is in place it forms with the bracket 33 a pivotal connection whereby the brace 15 may be swung upwards and downwards relatively to the panels of the series After full or complete assembly of the series 9 panels the brace 15 is swung downwards so that its lower end rests upon or is embedded in the subjacent ground or foundation. The brace 15 is preferably arranged so that it holds the series 9 in substantially a vertical position. After the brace is properly positioned the panels of the series 10 are positioned opposite the panels of the series 9 and are arranged in edge to edge relation. As soon as the panels of the series 10 are properly arranged they are connected to the adjacent ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12 by way of other bolts 13 and wedges 14. As soon as the form is completely assembled concrete in plastic or fluid form is poured into the space between the two series of panels. Upon hardening or solidifying of the concrete the panels are dismantled by removing the wedges and bolts so as to free the panels 11. As soon as the panels are free they are shifted away from the sides of the wall and the projecting loop equipped ends of the combined tie and spreader members 12 are severed or broken adjacent the sides of the concrete wall.

The herein described concrete wall form effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is characterized by the fact that it may be readily assembled because it includes the above mentioned diagonally extending brace 15. Because of the construction and design of the brace the form as a whole may be produced at a comparatively low cost.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A concrete wall form adapted to rest upon a supporting surface and comprising: two spaced apart upstanding walls each of which comprises a plurality of side by side panels, each panel being provided with vertically extending reenforcing members at the sides thereof, said vertically extending members being provided with horizontal notches in their outer side surfaces and having transverse openended holes in intersecting relation with said notches, horizontal combined tie and spreader members extending between the walls and provided with apertured ends located within said notches, means for securing the panels of each wall in side by side relation with said vertically extending members in abutting relation and with said longitudinally extending notches and holes in alignment and also securing said combined tie and spreader members in position in the notches between said two spaced apart upstanding walls, said means comprising horizontally extending head and shank type bolts extending through said holes and apertured ends and having in the free ends of their shanks exposed longitudinal slots in which vertically extending wedges are positioned, a diagonally extending brace disposed rearward of one of said upstanding walls and in a plane at right angles to the one wall and designed to hold the panels of said one wall against lateral tilting, said diagonally extending brace comprising an elongated wooden beam of rectangular cross-section and with the lower end thereof in engagement with said supporting surface and also comprising a stamped metal bracket in the form of an elongated fiat plate extending lengthwise of the beam and having the lower end portion thereof rectangular in form and fitted against, and secured to, the upper end of one of the side faces of the beam and provided at the side margins thereof with integral inwardly extending right angle flanges in straddled relation with the adjacent edge portions of the beam, said plate having its upper end portion tapered upwardly, projecting an appreciable distance beyond the upper end of the beam, and provided in its upper extremity with a transverse hole which extends around the shank of one of said bolts and forms therewith a pivotal connection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 140,943 Moseley July 15, 1873 977,862 Grant Dec. 6, 1910 1,129,144 Venable Feb. 23, 1915 1,779,908 Graziano Oct. 28, 1930 1,970,547 Anderson Apr. 21, 1934 2,313,637 Geer Mar. 9, 1943 2,684,824 Hillberg July 27, 1954 

